Hour of the Moon

Chapter 18: Veil

"Slowpoke!" 8-year-old Wohali laughed, running further ahead of me as my stubby legs tried to catch up to my older brother's strides.

Frustrated at my tiny body, I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes. I wanted to be fast and strong as my brother, but I was sensitive and weak. I was 6 then, and we usually ran through the forest in the summers. Our father said the earlier we had activated our wolf abilities, the easier the transition would be.

Father was a cruel and mean-spirited man, and Wohali was more than my brother, he was my guardian and someone I idolized.

" Wohali wait!" I heard his chorus of musical laughter trail through the forest, pushing my legs as fast as they would go.

Out of breath, I press my hand against a tree tears streaming down my face. I would never be fast enough, the wolf inside me dormant.

" Boo!" Wohali scared me and I jumped from fright.

" Baby brother, are you okay?" The look of mirth fled from his topaz-hued eyes and now he was worried.

" I'll never be as fff-ast or strong as you," I said as mucus ran from my nose. I feared father would beat me again.

Wohali pulled me into a hug.

" All is the well baby brother. I will protect you forever. What is our clan motto?"

" The moon is our guide, our bloodlines to stand the test of time. You never walk alone. You are never alone. However, is there something else troubling you?"

The younger versions dissipated like a billow of smoke, and now we were both grown men. We were still in the forest near our house, however, we were standing side by side near the edge of the forest that led to the lake, the full moon on display.

What would have been the older version of Wohali had shoulder-length hair and a 5'oclock shadow, the spitting image of father but with all the warmth father lacked. He wore a loose-fitting white tunic and white linen pants, barefoot.

I glanced down at my attire and I was wearing a similar outfit but dressed in a blood red, a contrast to my brother's appearance.

" There is nothing troubling me, Woha."

" You were always a terrible liar, baby bro. Why are you running?"

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

" Running from what?"

" Danger is coming," He said cryptically, casting his gaze towards the moon.

" You tampered with the course of nature using Ancient elemental magic. Did you not think that would backfire?"

" There is nothing I can do, what's done is done."

" Wrong, you can change it. You're holding onto what the clan wants but what do you want for yourself? This tough macho act is hindering you."

" I never wanted to be Alpha, I never wanted to step into the role of the future clan leader, and now I have to marry Nanye-hi."

" You never hold yourself accountable, do you? You're acting like the clan leaders are forcing your hand!" I flinched from the anger in his tone, he never raised his voice at me.

" These deaths are part of a bigger wicked plan, and you are playing with fate."

Wohali sighed, his gaze softening.

" You are stronger than you know, stronger than I ever was. Don't run from your problems and face your fate."

Like a ghoul in the night, he disappeared.  When I looked up at the moon it was bleeding blood red.